Ok Im attempting to retrofit my old mast with a comptip, (thants matt for the instructions) but Im having a terrible time with rivet tools, where can i find a tool strong enough to handle the Hobie Rivets?

I dont consider myself very handy, and this is my first experience with riveting, but the rivets supplied have sleaves that go over them in the hole, these are for added strengh? They seem to be the reason my rivet tools keep breaking..

I believe the sleeve you are speaking of go inside the holes first, and then the rivet sits inside it yes? If so, those are to keep water from seeping in through the rivet hole and keep the mast water tight. I would go through whatever effort I can to keep those sleeves intact as water in the mast can turn a simple capsize into a turtle.

I also have heard of some people putting a light bead of silicone under the flange of the rivet sleeve and rivet itself for additional insurance. I couldn't tell you if this is necessary/effective or not, but its not a significant labor issue to do.